Thursday, April 21, 2011

Why Do People Fall for These Scams???

This is how it all starts. I get these types of emails all the time (I got this one the other day and am too lazy to correct the errors in it):

Dear Friend,

For your kind attention, I am Mr.Sawdu Bello, the director of the accounts & auditing dept .at the Africana Development Bank Ouagadougou-west Africa . (A D B). I will be very glad if you do assist me to relocate the sum of ($10,500,000.00) Ten Million, five hundred thousand dollars into your personal bank account, this will be for the benefit of both of us.

This is a genuine and legitimate transaction only I cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner as required in my banking law, therefore, I am contacting you in this manner to help me stand before my bank as the beneficiary next of kin to claim this fund into your bank account, for assisting me to actualise this better opportunity, the total sum will be shared as follows: 50% for me, 50% for you and expenses incidental occur during the transfer will be incur by both of us. The transfer is risk free on both sides hence you are going to follow my instruction till the fund transfer to your account. As a matter of fact, what I need is your maximum cooperation and to provide a valid bank account where my bank will transfer this money for the benefit of you and I. By indicating your interest on assurance of trust I will send you the full details and how this business will be executed.

Most importantly, please I will advice you to keep this business proposal as a top secret between you and me. Or delete it immediately in your email box if you are not interested in this fund transaction business. Your urgent response to this mail will be highly appreciated.

Best regards,

Mr Sawdu Bello

--------------

I've highlighted the relevant parts.

Millions of people get these emails every day. And surprisingly many people fall for these scams. And that's when my store comes in to play. Once a person falls for this scam, they then come into my store to send money through Western Union to these idiots.

How are people still falling for these scams?

Money NEVER falls into our laps like this. I guess it just confuses me how gullible and trusting people are as soon as money is involved.

We had a customer come in yet AGAIN the other day wanting to send $100 to somebody in Nigeria because they said the person in Nigeria was helping to get this customer's relative out of jail. I tried to warn her that these were scams, but she kept assuring me that she's sent money to this person before. When I asked her if she knew this person personally (as in, have you ever met them before?) she didn't answer. So I had to refuse her transaction and told her I couldn't send money for her. Sadly I think she went down the street and sent it from another place.

When your cashier tries to warn you, please listen people. There are SO many scams out there and we've seen them all.

You are an amazing person... most people just don't give a shit when others fall into a trap... you're kind enough to warn them, but if they still want to jump in, well at least they have been warned...